A/N- Well this is it, the much awaited sequel to Volunteers and Destiny! Sorry for the wait, we've all been crazy busy. College is starting soon, so updates probably won't be regular, I emwill/em try though, I promise. Anyway, let's see if I can still do this. As before, Beta'd by 213serendipity (tumblr) and britpicked by desuke-dragonqueen (also tumblr).
Chapter 1: Val and the Snakes
This particular house gave Val the shivers, though he'd deny it if you asked him. There was just something about the place, dingy grey walls and dusty shutters over the windows, always kept shut so only the tiniest slivers of sunlight crept into the rooms. The worst part though, in Val's opinion, were the snakes. They were everywhere, hissing and slithering, twisting over one another, just barely visible in the dim light. Most of them were in tanks, but some of the bigger ones were allowed to roam free, a fact that made Val check his every step in a paranoid manner. Their owner assured him that his babies were harmless though, for the most part. That was the reason Val was here. He was willing to brave the creepy house because the owner had what he needed.
It was stupid of course; rumors of magic had been circulating various towns after a particular incident with a would-be assassin in the next city town over. He had of course done some research, and google had shown him some pretty compelling evidence. So he figured, maybe magic could help him out, and had somehow, through a lot of shady digging and word of mouth, found out about this house and the man inside.
He squared his shoulders and rapped on the door. He could hear shuffling and he could swear something slithered. The door opened a crack, and one red, watery eye peered out, before the door shut again with a slam. There was the sound of a chain lock being pulled back, and the door opened fully, revealing a seedy man in his late twenties.
His hair was messy, his clothes looked like they hadn't seen a washing machine in weeks, and the flared hood of a tattooed cobra peaked over his collar. He smelled faintly of weed and mouse droppings.
"Devlin," muttered Val, trying to pretend that the man didn't make him want to retch.
"Val... come in. Mind the python."
Val stepped carefully over the threshold, and decided to ignore whatever had brushed his leg, the sooner he could get what he came for, the sooner he could leave.
"I understand you got the goods."
"I understand you got the payment."
Val sighed, and pulled a bag of marijuana out of his pocket and held it out to Devlin. Val hoped that whatever Devlin had gotten him would be worth it. Devlin grinned and took it from his hands, before leading him further into the house, to a work room. A pair of boxing gloves lay on the worktop, with a viper painted on the inside curve of each glove.
"These don't look like much," said Val with a suspicious glare.
Devlin smirked.
"If you're really as good as you say, then these gloves will guarantee your win."
"Show me how it works."
"Tharanai im bis entra ofra honra stolle"
Val stifled a gasp, even as he jumped backwards. The vipers on the gloves had come alive. So this was magic then? He could get used to it. A slow grin spread across his face.
"They're a special kind, their venom will paralyze your opponent long enough for you to KO them. And." Devlin pushed the gloves towards Val. "They're now under your command."
"They'll do anything I say?"
"Yup."
Val began to laugh, and after a few seconds of confusion, Devlin joined in. Then Val stopped abruptly.
"Kill him" He hissed at the vipers
They struck at Devlin in rapid succession, until the man fell to the floor. Val compelled the vipers to shrink back into their un-animated form, stepped over the body, and walked out of the house. He got into his car, placing his new gloves carefully on the passenger seat, and buckled up. There was a boxing tournament in the neighboring town, and he had every intention of joining.
A/N- So a strong start? Let me know what you think!
